Rush hour: Barlow runs off to 4-0 start

Updated 12:09 am, Friday, October 12, 2012

Joel Barlow High School quarterback Jack Shaban cuts through the pack during a football game against Notre Dame-Fairfield. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012

Joel Barlow High School quarterback Jack Shaban cuts through the pack during a football game against Notre Dame-Fairfield. Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012

Photo: Scott Mullin

Rush hour: Barlow runs off to 4-0 start

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The soccer teams have ruled the fall sports scene at Barlow for a long time. There's been far more success on the pitch rather than the gridiron over the years.

But times may be changing in Redding and the spotlight may have to find time to shine on the new road graders of the SWC. The Barlow football team has stormed out to a 4-0 record by outscoring its opponents 177-52. The Falcons, who haven't had a winning season since they went 7-3 in 2006, are well aware of the excitement that is surrounding the team.

"It's been cool," said junior quarterback Jack Shaban, who also starts at safety. "Before the year, in school nobody believed us when we said we would be good. It's a big deal now. It's a town event now for us on Friday nights."

It's been a very satisfying start for head coach Rob Tynan, who is in his 21st season leading the Falcons from the sideline.

"This year is all about the team," Tynan said. "We have a great group that works hard."

The last time the Falcons started 4-0 was in 1996 and in their next game they suffered a loss to a winless Foran team. Barlow travels to Danbury on Saturday afternoon to face Immaculate (0-4), but this Barlow team has shown no signs of letting up.

The Falcons are mauling opponents behind one of the best rushing attacks in the state. While so many teams have fallen in love throwing the ball 20-40 times a game, the Falcons have thrown the ball just 10 times this season.

"Everybody is having a great time on offense," Shaban said. "It's working like a machine. We rarely mess up blocking assignments and we are making the right reads in the backfield. We are all clicking."

Making the right reads is not as easy as it sounds for a quarterback running a triple-option offense. Shaban, however, gained vital experience last year seeing time at quarterback and it has resulted in him rushing for 636 yards and 11 touchdowns on 57 carries so far.

And defenses have tried everything so far to slow down the Falcons by mixing up fronts and trying to confuse Shaban.

"It's been amazing," said Tynan of Shaban's play. "There's a lot of pressure on him to make the right reads and he has done it all. He's a tremendous athlete. He got a lot of reps last year and the experience has helped him get ready for the speed of the game. We have at least four kids in the backfield that can take it all the way."

Shaban's main pitch man is senior co-captain Alex Lockwood, who has carried the ball 26 times for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns. Rotating at fullback are senior Billy Wilson (20 carries for 245 yards) and junior Steve Miller (27 carries for 192 yards).

The holes are being opened up by an undersized line that is more than making up for its small stature with stellar technique.

"People get surprised when we make plays and blow them back," said Huribal, the other co-captain. "We are well coached and we get by with a good technique. We also have a lot of strength behind us. We are getting to our blocks and the backs are making good reads."

The senior is also loving the excitement that comes with a 4-0 start.

"It's a great change of pace," Huribal said. "We have a lot more energy about us and the entire program. The whole community is joining in."

The fans will have to travel the next few weeks with the Falcons playing four out of their next five games on the road as the schedule gets more difficult. The road games includes dates with Bunnell, Brookfield and Masuk -- three of the more talented teams in the SWC.

The Falcons, however, are content on focusing on Immaculate.

"It's a little tough not to look ahead," Shaban said. "But we are making sure we take it one at a time."

Shaban is also preparing for the time the rushing attack does hit a speed bump.

"We will throw it eventually," Shaban said with a laugh. "For now, until it gets stopped we will keep doing it like this."